In some ways it makes sense. Demand on the ATL-NRT route is quickly going to exceed what DL can supply offering only 1x777 a day. Last month, LF on DL's ATL-NRT was 82.6%. Since DL can not add any more NRT flights, the best bet would be to upgrade the metal. NW has the big metal (744's). However, we've heard this rumor about 100 times since NW and DL first hooked up, so I'll believe it when I see it.
The move would also free up DL to shift the 777's back to Europe or dump the 777's altogether (a move DL has considered).
I wouldn't be surprised to see KLM serve ATL either. They have served ATL in the past and with the entry into SkyTeam, the demand between two major SkyTeam hubs can fill more than DL's one flight.
Of course, all of these moves (if they were to happen) will just tick off the DL pilots and make any concessions less likely. Maybe Grinstein knows concessions won't happen, so he'll just take away all the big metal flights...concession in another form.
